Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 5/21-25
Did CJ Kayfus hit a another homer? Is it a day that ends in Y?
SCOREBOARD
Columbus Clippers 14, Iowa Cubs 5
Altoona Curve at Akron RubberDucks (Rained out - Double-Header 5/23)
Lake County Captains 5, Lansing Lugnuts 4
Fayetteville Woodpeckers 5, Lynchburg Hillcats 2
REHAB
Lane Thomas (CF, Columbus): 3-5, HR, 3 R - Thomas has been slowly getting back into the groove the last few days of his rehab, which is a good sign for Cleveland. He could rejoin the Guardians in Detroit if Cleveland thinks he’s close enough to help them. I think that probably pushes either Will Brennan or Jhonkensy Noel back to Columbus.
HIGHLIGHTS
CJ Kayfus (1B, Columbus): 2-4, 2B, HR, BB - Two more hits, a walk including two extra base hits for Kayfus. The guys remains on fire. What’s about to get real interesting is that Chase DeLauter is coming back to Columbus today. The outfield will now have Johnathan Rodriguez, Petey Halpin, DeLauter, and potentially one of Noel/Brennan. How many RF reps does that leave for Kayfus?
Yordys Valdez (3B, Columbus): 2-5, 2B, HR - Valdez isn’t really known for his bat. He’s had some offensive moments in the past but nothing sustained really but he had a big day here.
Milan Tolentino (2B, Columbus): 2-4, HR - Tolentino has pop in the bat but doesn’t make enough contact. He’s pretty sure handed as a defender and is similar to Valdez. But he has was part of a five homer barrage in this one.
Christian Knapczyk (2B, Lake County): 2-4, HR, RBI, SB - Knapczyk led off with a homer in this one and the month of May has been really good to him. We’ll see how he responds when he cools off and what gets exposed, but right now this as impressive of a stretch as I’ve seen.
Alfonsin Rosario (CF, Lake County): 2-4, HR, 3 RBI - Rosario missed a week and has really jumped back into things quickly and keeps hitting at Lake County. The tools are really there. The approach still leaves some pause to what things will look like against more advanced pitching but he’s certainly playing a lot better than I thought he would based on what we saw at Low-A last season.
Welbyn Francisca (SS, Lynchburg): 2-4, 2B, RBI, BB - There’s been more flashes from Francisca lately which is good to see in a very underwhelming season so far. I’m not very high on the profile personally but he’s still young and has some tools.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Petey Halpin (LF, Columbus): 1-5, HR, 2 RBI - Halpin has been hitting for more power this year and is striking out, and carrying a higher BABIP. But the pop is interesting to see. I think most of the holes in his swing would be exposed by MLB pitching, but he is hitting so far at Columbus.
Parker Messick (SP, Columbus): 5IP, 2H, 3ER, 4BB, 3K - Not Messick’s best day control wise but wasn’t hit very much across 81 pitches over five innings. He’s still searching for more efficiency in his starts for the most part.
Josh Hartle (SP, Lake County): 5IP, 3H, 2ER, BB, 3K - Another solid start for Hartle who threw 76 pitches in five innings and limited walks once again. He really has found a groove here lately and it’s good to see him getting back to where he has been in the past.
That was one impressive blast by Rosario. I think it landed in the parking lot beyond the mini golf course.
Kayfus with an oppo blast to left center displaying excellent power. Fangraphs has him up to 9th in the Guardians rankings as of yesterday. They don't seem too impressed. "His splits against pitches 93 mph and above (.278/.366/.389 combined the last two seasons) are more in line with what a visual report on Kayfus reads like: well-rounded, nothing plus...Defensive versatility would help make him rosterable as a 400 PA platoon man, which is his projection here."
Platoon player, well-rounded, nothing plus. I guess we'll see.